Issue 1: November/December 2010

A Snapshot Of Key Developments In The External Relations Of The Russian Gas Sector

Half a year after the gas dispute with Belarus, Gazprom has created a new ‘daughter’ company in Minsk, Gazprom Transgas West, as a potential operator of the Belarusian stretch of the Yamal-Europe gas pipeline. The current operator of the section in question is Beltransgaz, in which Gazprom holds a 50% stake. However, the new ‘daughter’ company, which will exercise complete control over the Belarusian section of the pipeline, will be completely controlled by Gazprom. Although few experts predicted that another gas dispute in 2010 was likely, since the current contract between Gazprom and Beltransgaz does not expire until the end of 2011, establishment of Transgas West implies that Moscow has been taking steps to prepare for the likelihood of future dispute scenarios. READ MORE

• December 20, 2010

Turkmen delegation headed by Deputy Prime Minister Baymurad Hojamuhammedov will discuss issues of cooperation in oil and gas industry in Tehran (Iran) on Saturday, the official Turkmen source said.

• December 18, 2010

The world's first nuclear fuel bank of low enriched uranium (LEU) was officially launched in Russia on Friday, which aspiring nations could use for nuclear reactors instead of making it themselves.

• December 18, 2010

There are at least three things most people know about Kazakhstan, even if its name blends with many other “stan” countries in Central Asia: The film “Borat,” oil and gas and the world’s largest space launch center.

• December 17, 2010

President Barack Obama took a step toward a major foreign policy accomplishment as the Senate began debate on a U.S.-Russia nuclear pact.

• December 16, 2010

Turkey's first nuclear power plant, expected to be licensed by the end of 2011, would cost around 20 billion U.S. dollars, local media reported Wednesday.

• December 16, 2010

President of Lithuania Dalia Grybauskaite praised this government's efforts in reforming the energy sector, but due to unfavourable international situation she called for a pause in attempts of building a new nuclear power plant in Lithuania

• December 16, 2010

Bulgaria's new Renewable Energy source act will be ready in two weeks, the country's Energy Minister has stated.

• December 15, 2010